Speakers

Paul E. Maxwell, Jr.

Central Florida HIDTA Drug Intelligence Officer (DIO) Overdose Response Strategy (ORS)

Paul E. Maxwell, Jr.

Central Florida HIDTA Drug Intelligence Officer (DIO) Overdose Response Strategy (ORS)

In January 2021, Paul began his position as the DIO for the Central Florida HIDTA. Prior to this position, he was a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for over 23 years. With the DEA, Paul served at the Miami Field Division; DEA Headquarters; and finally, as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Milwaukee District Office. Paul retired from the DEA in November 2020. Prior to the DEA, Paul served over six years of active duty with the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman and a Special Agent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID). John’s background in medical research led him to a career of working with physicians. For over a decade, he worked in operating rooms, training and advising on thousands of advanced procedures with some of the most advanced and respected companies in healthcare. With 15 years of experience with physicians, John brings leadership expertise in pain management, surgical techniques, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, and clinical program implementation. He holds a bachelor of science in biology degree from the University of Iowa. An Iowa City resident, John enjoys spending time with his wife and three children whom he’s raising to be diehard Iowa Hawkeyes fans.

Brittany Brown, MA, MPH

Central Florida Public Health Analyst for the Overdose Response Strategy, in cooperation with the CDC Foundation and the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)

Brittany Brown, MA, MPH

Central Florida Public Health Analyst for the Overdose Response Strategy, in cooperation with the CDC Foundation and the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)

Brittany Brown is a seasoned public health professional with expertise in project management, behavioral health, and clinical research. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health and a Master of Arts in Community Counseling. With over a decade of experience, Brittany has led diverse initiatives, including overdose prevention programs and mental health crisis response teams. Currently serving as a Public Health Analyst with the CDC Foundation, Brittany collaborates with local partners to develop data-driven strategies addressing substance use and public health challenges. Her prior roles in Florida include Clinical Research Coordinator at CNS Healthcare, where she managed pharmaceuticals clinical trials, and various leadership positions at LifeStream Behavioral Center, where she implemented innovative programs to support community mental health. Brittany is passionate about advancing equitable access to care, synthesizing complex data into actionable insights, and building cross-sector partnerships to address pressing public health issues. Troy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida. He is married to Claudia and has two daughters, Emilia and Aitana.

Carrie Baird

Chief Executive Officer, Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia

Carrie Baird

Chief Executive Officer, Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia

Carrie Baird is CEO of Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia and has nearly 30 years of experience in nonprofit and government service. Her career has spanned substance use and suicide prevention, corrections, juvenile justice, child welfare, community development, and public health. She has led numerous collaborative initiatives across Volusia and Flagler Counties and throughout Florida, with a focus on strengthening systems of care and improving community health and well-being.

Kristy Amburgey

Chief Community Impact Officer, Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia

Kristy Amburgey

Chief Community Impact Officer, Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia

As the Chief Community Impact Officer of Flagler Cares and One Voice for Volusia, Kristy Amburgey is a trained professional with 25-years of experience in prevention, community facilitation, communication and marketing, and implementing evidence-based strategies. Kristy coordinates substance use prevention efforts by creating opportunities for protective factors to thrive through community convening and capacity building. Kristy has a Bachelor of Science in English and graduate-level coursework in leadership and strategic and project management.

Kirby Salerno

CEO, Playbl

Kirby Salerno

CEO, Playbl

Motivated by improving outcomes for youth in the US and abroad, Kirby has spent over 2 decades building early stage technology enterprises in the education sector. His work includes successfully commercializing products focused on substance use prevention, teacher professional development, adaptive math curriculum, hip-hop based curriculum, and special education data collection and sharing in schools. Following an acquisition, Kirby spent time as an executive at Amazon, building go-to-market teams in the K12 education space. In addition to his work as an operator, Kirby is a Venture Partner with Boston-based LearnLaunch, a fund and accelerator helping to scale early stage EdTech ventures. Kirby volunteers in his hometown of Needham, MA having served as a board member of the Needham Education Foundation, Noah's Ark Preschool, Co-President of the Pollard Middle School PTO, and as founding board member of TEC Connections Academy, a Commonwealth Virtual School. He’s currently a member of the Technical Advisory Council of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Adult Literacy and on the board of the Boston chapter of the American Lung Association.